Editorial

We wish to commend the government of Taiwan for their handsome donation towards the enhancement of the country’s road network. The gesture combined with other donors like the EDF would enable the country to be able to implement its transport plan. 

It would help the country to have a good road network that would not only ease the movement of people, but also enhance the economy, as there would be smooth flow of goods and services, while production centers would be linked to markets 
We also deem it imperative to applaud the National Roads Authority and its line Ministry for a job well done.

 Already, we have seen a proliferation of road construction in the country; most of them either complete or near completion. This is an indication that the institution is efficiently maintaining and implementing donor funds. 

As donors are showing commitment to developing our road network, and the implementing agencies are executing the task, we wish to reiterate that the culture of maintenance also be given due consideration. 

Looking at the nature of the construction of the roads, which are raised above surface, making them to register potholes, while the edges of some of the roads are also getting eroded gradually, due to weather conditions and the persistent usage. 

The National Roads Authority and all other stakeholders must know that there is the need to carry out major maintenance work on the roads to prevent them from further depreciation. 

The more this is delayed, the more the roads degenerate and it is obvious that under extreme dilapidated conditions, the only option will be to reconstruct them, which will weigh heavily on the government. 

It is certain that every stakeholder in development understands that one sustainable feature of any infrastructural development is maintenance. Without the culture of maintenance, development projects depreciate in time and would eventually become useless. 

Even human beings need maintenance to keep the body in good shape and form. The culture of maintenance should therefore be embedded in the national development paradigm so that our collective achievements become sustainable.

It is also important that good engineering work is carried on the roads from start of construction to finish. This is significant because some of the roads so far constructed are the least satisfactory. 

We have also seen the head of state personally voicing out his dissatisfaction at the state of such roads. For example, looking at the Churchills Town, Tabokoto junctions, and from the airport junction to Farato, one can easily detect faults in the construction of the road as waterways are blocked, the drainage canals get filled to the brim, while running water cover the road, thus obstructing traffic and other economic functions. 


All these should be remedied to avoid future dissatisfaction with our roads. We also wish to recommend that Gamtel and Nawec be allowed to lay their pipes and wires that cut across the road before surface dressing is done. 

It is absolutely disheartening to see staff of these institutions dig across a road to fix their pipes and wires when the road has been completed. Such a situation would no way help the sustainability and durability of our roads. 

As we galvanise efforts to ensure the development of the country, we should at equal degree make sustainability our trademark.